Ratchet wrench



July 31, 1928.

L. M. GIBSON RATCHET WRENCH Filed March 29, 1927 Inventor 1.117. 620507.

- flttorngy llllllllk. V/III/Il Patented July 31, 1928.

LOUIS M. GIBSON, NIANGUA, MISSOURI.

RATCHE'I. WRENCH.

Application filed March 29, 1927. Serial No. 179,377.

The present invention relates to improvements in ratchet wrenches and has for its principal object to providea tool which is of such construction as to permit the same to be ratcheted'in either direction.

Another important object of the invention is to provide aratchet wrench of the above mentioned character, which is of such construction as to save considerable time and labor in loosening or tightening nuts or other objects to be turned, the wrench being simple in construction, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention w ll become apparent during the course of the following detaileddescription.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisv application and in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the ratchet wrench embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an edge elevation thereof, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates generally my improved ratchet wrench, the same comprising the head 2, the inner or rear edge portion of which is rounded as clearly shown in the drawing.

Extending from the outer forward edge of the head are the spaced co-acting jaws 3 and l respectively, the inner opposed faces thereof being shapedto conform to a nut of a predetermined size, whereby said nut may be engaged by the opposed faces of the jaws to facilitate the turning of the same whenever necessary.

The inner portion of the head member 2 is cut-out or slotted as indicated by the numeral 5 and extending into this cut-out portion is the inner end of an elongated handle 6. A pivot forming bolt 7 extends centrally through the head and through the inner end of the handle whereby the handle is pivotally associated with the slotted head.

The rounded inner edges of the sides of the slot are formed with ratchet teeth, the ratchet teeth which extend from one end of the slot to the center'thereof being disosed in one direction, as indicated at 8,

while the ratchet teeth extending from the opposite end to the center are disposed in the opposite direction as indicated at 9. In this manner one half of the ratchet teeth will be disposed in a right hand direction and the other halfwill be disposed in a left hand direction and the purpose of this particular arrangement will be presently apparent. 7

A ratchet lever 10 is pivoted adjacent its lower end on one side of the handle 6 as at 11, the pivoted end of the ratchet lever being disposed laterally across the face of the handle 6 as at 12 and the outer end of this laterally disposed portion is bent inwardly as at 13 for disposition across the opposite side edge of the handle. The portion 13 forming a dog or pawl for engagement with the series of teeth 8.

.A similar lever 14 is pivotally supported on the opposite side face of the arm of the handle 6, as at 15, the pivoted end of this lever being disposed laterally as at 16 1I1- wardly to provide the pawl 01 dog 17, WlllCh extendsacross the opposite side edges of the handle 6 and is adapted for cooperation with the reversely arranged ratchet teeth 9. For the purpose of normally maintaining the pawls or dogs 13 and 17 in engagement with the ratchet teeth 8 and 9 respectively, I provide suitable axial coil springs 18 which encircle the respective pivots 11 and 15 and are operatively connected at oneend to the handle 6 and at their other ends to the respective levers 10 and 14; as is clearly shown in the drawing. The upper end of each lever is formed with a thumb engaging portion indicated at 19.

It is believed that the operation of my improved ratchet wrench may be readily understood from the construction of the device as shown in the accompanying drawings and as above described and manifestly by actuating the respective ratchet levers, the dogs or pawls 13 and 17 may be disengaged from the respective series of ratchet teeth, thus permitting the handle to be actuated in either direction in a simple and eflicient manner.

The simplicity of my device enables the same to be readily and easily actuated and will, at all times, be positive and efficient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a ratchet Wrench of the class described, a handle, a head, the inner end portion thereof being slotted to receive the inner end of the handle, a pivot extending through the slotted head and said handle,

a pair of co-acting jaws on the outer edge portion of the head, ratchet teeth formed on the inner edges of the slotted head, certain of the ratchet teeth in each edge being disposed in one direction, the remaining teeth in each edge being disposed in theopposite direction, a pair of ratchet levers pivoted on the opposite sides of the handle, the pivoted ends of the levers being disposed laterally and thence inwardly in'opposite directions to provide a pair of opposed paWls extending across the respective side edges of the handle, said paWls adapted forvengagement with the respective series of teeth, and said resilient means for holding the 'pawls in engagement with the ratchet teeth.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

LOUIS GIBSON. 

